Joyce R. Cohen

Joyce R. Cohen, age 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 3, 2024. Born June 11, 1929 on the family farm in Glenmore to parents Clement and Sadie (née Vanden Heuvel) Matzke, she graduated from De Pere High School in 1947.

Joyce married C. Bernard Cohen in De Pere on September 25, 1948. The Cohens lived in Morrison, before moving to Langes Corners to raise their five children and establish Cohen’s TV Repair. Joyce assisted with management of the business; often running pickups and deliveries, as well as office administration and bookkeeping.

In her free time, she attended softball games at Circle Tap and Sunset Park in Appleton, volunteered at the church office of St. Mary’s Glenmore, and was a proud member of the Daughters of Isabella.

Joyce loved to travel; road trips with Bernard across the United States to National Parks and flying to Ireland in their youth progressed to group casino outings in retirement. Though a fiercely competitive bingo player, she retained her frugal nature and often advised her grandchildren to stick to penny slots, saying “That way, if you lose, at least it’s not too much.”

She was happiest when gathered with friends, siblings, and relatives; both on holidays and at the annual Matzke Family Reunion. A supportive presence, she was always content to listen and laugh at jokes and stories so long as she was surrounded by her family and, ideally, holding a good piece of chocolate cake.

Joyce is survived by her sons Kevin (Janet) Cohen, Charles (Sara) Cohen, daughters-in-law Nancy Cohen and Lisa Cohen; grandchildren Lee (Keri) Steffens, Molly Steffens, Justin (Thunyasiri) LeBreck, Tara (Matthew) Mullarkey, Katie (Alex) Aicher, Reina (John) Ferreras, Kelli Cohen, Brendan Cohen, Sean Cohen, and Aidan Cohen; beloved great-grandchildren Brock and Kaitlin Steffens, Sadie and Nora Mullarkey, Max and Oliver Aicher, and Johanna Ferreras; as well as sister Gloria (Roger) Bougie, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Joyce was preceded in rest by her parents, husband C. Bernard, daughter Connie Steffens, son-in-law Donald Steffens, sons Michael and John Cohen, grandson Jon Steffens, sisters Blossom (Milton) Krueger, June (Ed) Collins, and Rosella (Rollie) Schroeder, brothers Roland (Ethel) Matzke, Robert (Germaine) Matzke, and Ken (Dolores) Matzke; along with brothers and sisters-in-law Catherine and Jack Stedl, Robert Cohen, Mary Kane, and Doris and Giles Kane.

Friends and family may join in celebrating her life at St. Mary’s Glenmore Catholic Church, 5832 Big Apple Rd., De Pere, on Thursday, September 12, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10 AM with mass to follow at 11 AM. She will be laid to rest at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Maple Grove.

The Cohen family would like to express a special thank-you to the staff of Wayside Parkview Estates, Rennes Health & Rehab Center - De Pere, and the wonderful carers of Unity Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, Rennes Health and Rehab Center, or St. Mary Glenmore.